Bemidji Daily Pioneer Newspaper, August 25, 1922, Page 2

s PRI SYNOPSIS CI 'R I.—During the helght of the New Orleans carnival season Jachin Fell, wealthy though somewhat mysterious cit- izen, and Dr. -Ansley, are discussing & serigs of robberies by an individual known s the Midnight Masquer, who, iavariably attired as an aviator, has long defled the | police.. Joseph Maillard, wealthy bankexr, is giving a ball that night, at which the Masquer has threatened to appear and Tob the guests. Fell and Ansley, on their way to the affair, meet a girl dressed as Columbine, seemingly known to Fell, but masked, Who accompanies them to the CHAPTER IL—Lucle Ledanols, recent- Iy the ward of her uncie, Joseph Mall- | lard, is the Columbtne. ‘CHAPTER TIl—Iu bis library Joseph Malllard and & group of friends are held up and robbed by the Midnight Masquer. CHAI 1V.—Lucie Ledanols, the last of an old family, is in straitened circum- stances. Joseph Maillard’s handling of her funds has been unfortunate. Fell is an old friend of her parents and deeply interested In the girl. Henry Gramont, really 'the prince de Gramont, son of & French father and an American mother, but who spurns the title of prince, is engmored of Lucie and believes himself a not unfavored suitor. CHAPTER V.—Gramont's chauffeur, ‘Hammend, sergeant in the American army in France, and there known to Gramont, lives with him. He was the original Midnight Masquer, and Gramont, for a_particular purpose, after discover- ing. Hammond's activities, assumes the role. .Where Hammond had been a rob- ber. for financial =gain, Gramont, of course, is not. He arranges to return the *“loot” to those whom hé has robbed. The jewels and money, in individual pack- .ages, are got ready for delivery next day | to their original owners. That night they are stolen from Gramont’s auto. CHAPTER VI—Ben Cacherre, an in- diyidual of unsavory character, appears to be associated with Jachin Fell He | has a peculiar interview with one Mem- phis Izsy Gumberts, notorious influential crook, in which there (s significant refer- ence to a mysterious “boss.” CHAPTER VIL—Lucle summons Gra- mont to her home and shows him the packages from his auto. He admits he | is the Midnight Masquer, but convinces ner ‘that he had no. thought of robbery. | He refuses, however, to explain his pur- pose. The packages are returned to their owners. _JAPTER VIIL—Tnat evening Fell, Gfamont, and Dr. Ansley, at the Krewe of. Comus ball, are accosted by an in- toxicated masked individual whom they recognize as Bob Malllard. ‘He Invites | them to_a convivial party in a private room. - They refuse, and Gramont leaves Tha bullding. Joseph Maillard seeks his . won, fearing public_scandal as a result of Bob's condition. With Fell and Ansley they find the room where.the revels are going on. Entering they discover an in- dlvlgmll. attired as an aviator, in the act . of robbing the Intoxicated vouths. In a struggle that ensues Malllard is shot and killed. The “Masquer” escapes. CHAPTER IX.—Gramont, with Ham- | mond, visits Terrebonne, a wild section of the country, to inspect Lucie Ledanois’ land, which he believes contains oil. He ! finds indicatlons of apparently almost un- believable quantities of the stuff. While stooping over a pool of water which clearly shows traces of oil on its sur- face, Gramont hears his name spoken. (Continued from last issue) stick and took a forward step, anger working in his face. “What the devil d'you mean?” “Exactly what I say—and perhaps 1 can prove It. Remember the oil con- cern to which you persuaded your precious father to sell some of Miss Ledanols’ Bayou land? Remember the real estate company to which you per- suaded him to selY her St. Landry par-; ish property? You had interests in both concerns; I don't imagine you'd care to have your:share in those trans-| actions exposed. Further, I entirely understand your fndignation over my getting rid of this stock before the. crash, and it i1l becomes you to assume any such attitude.” Ma'llard glared at him for a long moment, a red tide of rage flooding | and ebbing from his heavy counte-| nance. Then, mastering himself, he | turned away without further speech.| Leaving Hammond to take the car | heme, Gramont headed for Canal| street’ to mingle with the carnival| crowd and revel in his new-found | sense of freedom. Now that he was | his own master, he felt like a new man. With a boyish abandon he | tramped the streets merrily, exchang- ing jests and confetti, shoves and bladder-blows, laughs and kisses. Mad- ness and reckless gayety were in the very air, and Gramont drank deep of | these youthful tonics. When at last he wandered home to his pension, he was footsore, weary, disarranged and ' tousled—and very happy. The wine of human comradeship is a good wine. | That- ‘evening the Comus ball, the most - exclusive revel of the most ex- clusive ‘aristocracy of the southland, crowdeg the edifice in which it was | held tojcapacity. Here évening dress | was prgscribed for all the guests. The Krewe :pf Comus alone were masked | and costumed, in grotesque and mag- ! nificent costumes which had been in the making for months. The Krewe is to the South what the Bohemian club’is to the western coast, with the added enhancement of mystery. Despite the revels of the Krewe, however—despite the glittering jewels, | the ‘barbaric costumes, the¢ music, the excitement—an indefinable air of re- gret, almost of sadness, pervaded the entire gathering. This feeling was gomething to be sensed, rather than l gbserved definitels, Some sald. after- | pair for Mardi Gras. It was itself— { Lucle Ledanois called out, among oth- | Doctor Ansley and Jachin Fell. ward, that it was a premonition of the terrible event that was to happen this night. Wrong! It was because, for the first time in many generations, the Comus ball was held in one of the ! newer public buildings instead of in | its accustomed place. Everyone was speaking of it Even -Maillard the banker, that cold man of dollars, spoke uneasily of, it when Gramont encoun- tered him ih the smoking room. “Jt doesn’t seam like Comus,” sald Maillard, with a(vexed frown. “And to think that we had just finished re- decorating the opera house when it was burned down! Comus will never be the same again.” “I didn't know yom could feel such emotion for a ruined building, Mail- lard,” said Gramont, lightly. The banker shrugged a trife. “Emotion?’ No. Regret! None of us, who has been brought up in the traditions_of the city, but regarded the French Opera house as the center ; of all our storied life. You can’t un- derstand it, Gramont; no outsider can. By the way, you haven't seen Bob? He's in costume, but he might have spoken to you—" Gramont answered in the negative, with a slight surprise at the question. It was not long before he came to comprehend more fully just what the loss of the old French Opera house meant to the assembly. He heard com- parisons made on every hand, regret- ful allusions, sighs for the days that ‘were no more. . This present bullding, ;to be sure, was one of the city’s finest, up to date in every way, with an sbundance of room—and yet everyone said that Co- mus would never be the same. About the opera house had clung ‘the romance of many generations. About it, too, had clung the affections of the people with a fierceness beyond reason. More famous buildings had been allowed to 20 to ruin; like the Hotel Royale, but the opera liouse had been kept in re- a landmark. Nothing else would ever be like it. From his seat in the Lavergne box Gramont contented himself during the early evening with the’ common role of all the “blackcoats”—that of look- ing on Idly. More than once he saw ers of the fair sex, as a dancing part- ner for some member of the Krewe. None of the male guests, however, was allowed to participate in the festivity | until Rex and his queen should ar- | rive—at midnight; thus, Gramont saw | almost nothing of Lucle during the | evening. } ‘While in search of smoking compan- ! fons, Gramont encountered many of his acquaintances, and among them The three strolled off together into one of the unused passages leading to other parts of the building. They opened a window and stood watching the crowd that surged in ¢&o street below, con- stantly Increasing us the hour -grew later, for the ‘procession of Rex would be well worth seeing and nobody meant to miss anything upon this night of nights. | Suddenly, at the sound of an ap- | proaching footstep, the three- men | turned. The electric lights were going in all of the hallways, and they per- | celved that the individual approaching them was a member of the Krewe of Comus. He was also, it became evi- dent, giving a share of his allegiance to Bacchus, for-his feet were obviously unsteady. He was clad in a parti- colored costume, which was crowned | by an exaggerated head of Mephisto. | | *Wonderin’ who I am, aren't joul” he hiccuped. ! | lard, looking extremely agitated, and | this is no great matter! | N " THE BEMIDJI DAILY PIONEER and moved oo dowWn™ the emity, Ball- | About this table had been sitting {half a dozen members of the Krewe 1 way, “] wonder who that was, now?” of Comus. Now, however, they were standing, their various identities com- pletely concealed by the grotesque cos- tumes- which cloaked them. Their mused Doctor Ansley, frowning. “Evi- dently someone who knew us; at least, he recognized you, Gramont.” / “So it seemed,” put it Jachin Fell. hands were in the air. His tone, like his eyes, had :a somber | Standing at another doorway, mid- fire. “A party of them drinking, eh? way between their group and that of That .will make trouble. The Krewe the four unexpected intruders, was the won't like it. Who was he, Gramont? Mis t squer—holding them up at ‘Sounded like—" £ | the-pint gt his agtomatic! oung ; Maillard.® At Gramont's | Malllardiwas the; fisst to break the whistle biroke frofy Doctor \slleng of | stupefaction. Ansl chin Fell'nodded Missent. ' “By) hedvens!”, he cried, furlously. “You took the words omt of my “Here's that d—d villain again—hold mouth, So Bob is drinking again, eh? him, you! at him, everybody!” * _Hello, Gramont—where to?" H In a blind rage, transported out of ¥ Graiont tossed 'his cigr Athrough | himseif{ by his*sudden access-of' pas- the open window. ision, the banker hurled himself .for- 1Y I think I'l make miy adfieux, Fell. I ward, | From the bandit burst; a cry intend to be up early in tfie morning |0f futlle warning; the pisfol ‘in his and get off to work—" hand veered toward his assailant. “What?” protested Ansley in aston: This_action precipitated the event. ishment. “You must stay until Rex |Perhaps because the Masquer, did not comes, at least! Why, that’s the event fire instantly, and perhaps because of the carnival! The evening hasn't Maillard’s mad action shamed them, started yet.” the nearer members of the drinkingy “I'm growing old and sober, doctor,” | party hurled themselves at the bandit. and Gramont chuckled. “What’s more, | The threat of the weapon was forgot- 1 was drifting with the crowds all aft- ernoon, and I've just begun to realize that ’m dead tired. "Rex or no Rex, I'm afraid I'd best say goodnight, gentlemen.” Returning to the auditorium, Gra- ! mont sought out his hiosts and made | his farewells, although not without | encountering some opposition. At length he was free, he had obtained [} his hat and coat, and as he passed out ; of the-building he again met Fell and | Ansley, who were finishing their "‘“i gars at the entrance. He bade them a | final adieu and plunged into the crowd. | It lacked haif an hout of midnight. | For a little, Fell and Doctor Ansley stood talking, then tossed away their cigars and turned into ‘the building. They halted in the foyer before the appearance of two men—Joseph Mail- behind him old Judge Forester, who ' |4 wore a distinctly worried expression. | }§ “Ah, here are Fell and Ansley!” ex-| g claimed Maillard, almost with relief. “]—ah—my friends, I don’t suppose | you've seen Bob recently?” ' Ansley was silent. Jachin Fell, however, responded with-a cold nod of assent. 1 “Yes,” he sald in his peculiarly tone- | less manner. “Yes, we have. At least, | The Threat of the Weapon Was For. I belleve it was he—" gotten, Unheeded in the Sweeping “Pm worried,” sald Malllard, anxi- | Lust of the Man-Hunt. ously, hurrledly. He made an expresy,| ive gesture of despair. “He's in cos- | ten, unheeded in the sweeping lust of tume, of course. I've been given to the man-hunt. It seemed that the fel- understand - that—well, that he has | low feared to fire; and.about him been—well, ‘drinking.” ! closed the party in a surging mass, “He has,” sald Jachin Fell, wmmut: with a burst of sudden"shouts, strik- any trace of compassion. | ing and clutcbing to pull him down “A number | of the /Krewe are occupying one of | and put him under foot. the rooms in the building, and they | Then, when it seemed that they had must have been visiting it frequently. | him without a struggle, the Masquer I trust for your sake that the (act“b“"‘e from them, swept them apart hasn't become generally known in- | and threw them,off, hurled them clear side?” el 'away. He moved, as though to leap Maillard nodded. Shame ‘and anger | throuch the side doorway whence he lay heavily in his eyes. | g come.. .. Judge Forester, in his kindly way, 'ith an oath, Maillard hurled him- Iald his hand on the banker’s arm. | 8elf forward, struck blindly and furi- “Put, tat, Joseph,” he said, gently, | 0usly at the bandit, and fastened up- a fund of sympathy in _his voice. | on him about the waist. There was “Boys will be boys, you know ; really, | a surge for ‘of bodies as the oth- Don't let it | ers crowded in to pull down the Mas- hit you so hard. Tli go with you to | quer before he could escape. It looked find the room, of course. Where is| then as though he were indeed lost— it, Jachin?" | until the automatic flamed and roared “We'll all go,” put in Ansley. nwev"} In bis hand, its choking fumes burst- have s little party of our own, gentle- | D& at them. The report thundered men. Come on, I believe we'll be able | in the room; a second report thun- to discover the place.” dered, deafeningly, as a second bul- The four men left the foyer and |let sought its mark. started through the corridors. Like a faint echo to those shots “I hear,” sald Judge Forester to! came the slam of a door. The Mas- Doctor Ansley, as they followed the QUer Was gonel other two, “that there has been aston-| After him, into the farther room, ishing news today from the Midnight Masquer. It seems that a number of people have recelved back property this afternoon—loot the bandit had taken. It appears to have been some sort of a carnival joke, after all.” “A poor one, then,” responded Ans- ley, “and in doubtful taste. Tve heard nothing of it. I wouldnt mind getting back the little cash I lost, though I must say I'll believe th story when I see the money——" He broke off quickly. As they turned a cormer of the cor- ridor to the four men came realiza- tion that they had attained their goal. From one of the rooms ahead there 2 sounded snatches of a bolsterous chor- | ty floor; and: it was ‘the figure of us being roared forth lustily. As| Joséph Maillard. . THé physician they halted, to distinguish from which | glanced up, then rose slowly to his door the singing proceeded, the chor-| feet. He made a terribly significant us was broken off by \an abrup: and| .. (Continued in Next lssuv) mdden silence. This silence was ac- :entuated by the preceding noise, as hough the singers had checked their vanished utterly. There was no trace of him. His complete disappearance confused the searchers. After a mo- ment, however, they returned to the but behind him had remained a more grim and terrible masquer. however, there had fallen a dread si- lence and consternation. One of the masqued drinkers held an arm that hung helpless, dripping bloed; but his burt passed unseen and uncared for, even by himself. 8 a motlonless figure, prone on the dir- Butcher Rejoices Over Wife’s Recovery | rushed some of the party; but he had | lighted room. The Masquer had gone, | In the room which he had just left, ' i Doctor Ansley was kneeling above |TONS OF BUTTER TO BE SHOWN AT STATE FAIR TONS OF BUTTER nUssho8f Statues of butter by St. Paul’s well known sculptor, John K. Daniels will be one of the features of the daiy show of the coming Minnesota State Fair, Twin Cities, Sept.'2 to 9 Tonts and tons of butter = and cheese will be exhibited in"the show according to Andrew nch, supers. intendént of the dai¥y . de) 5 Prizes ‘totaling $1,480 wil out to the winners by the fair man- agement. ! Competition of the Thottest kind features ‘the'annual contest:for butter making championship at the Minnesota State Fair. Only}a ifri¢: tion of a point usually separates the first five winners, Minnesota is fa- mous for - its butter throughout the nation and manufactures more bot- ter than any other state.in the Un- ion. . DR. BENJ. MARTIN ASSUMES -+ DR. SANBORN. PRACTICE Doctor Benj. Martin, who has been connected. with the offices and car- rying on the practice of Dr. Sanborn for the past seven months has as- samed complete charge of the prae- tice and will continue under his own name. Dr. Martin enjoys a wide acquaintance in Bemidji and will be welcomed as a permanent fixture among the fraternity. SHOW ‘CLASS OF MOVIES . . TO BE SHOWN_.THIS SEASON (By Utiljed $ St. Paul, Aug. 26—Froducers will demonstrate to the public the class of movies to. be shown this season during “Go To Movie Week” which opened in Minnesota today in con- nection with the visit of Will Hays, direcor general of the movies. Most of the pictures to be shown this week have been made under the Hays regime. VISITORS FROM NEW AUBURN AT C. B. GRUER HOME "Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Gruer were pleasantly surprised last night by the arrival of the former’s mother sister Ruth and brother Ernest of New Auburn, Minnesota, and Miss Alice Klappflieck of Browntown. Miss Gruer will remain to teach the Big Lake school again this year. ~ DANCING - PARTY AT . BIRCHMONT HOTEL TONIGHT The management of *he 'Birch- mont hotel announces . " a special dancing party for the general public for Friday evening. Dot Van’s or- chestra will provide the music. Dan- cing will begin at 9:00 and continue until 12:00 o’clock. PR FRIDAY EVENING, AUGUST 25, 1922 and has become one of the greatest schools of businiess in the country. Its MANKATO COMMERGIAL COLLEGE - This school has been under the same management for move than 30 years, location is_ ideal; its courses thorough and practical; women "of special tr: ence; cxpenses low ,and unusual oppor- send for our tunities ‘for securing’' ‘posi- tions for its 'r-flnnlu. - free catalog. A} ® MANKATO GOMMERCIAL COLLEGE terested, Mankato, Minn. / that mmands Attention! 'Y‘ OUR printing often introduces you to your - best business prospects. If it fails,to make SCHOOL OPENS SOON!. How are the Children’s eyes? We are making special provi-- sion for the examination -of school children. Bring them in .before school begins, : DRS. LARSON & LARSON- . Optometrists 213 Third St. Phone 131 ¢ ourC}fildtooMay'; & Suffer from Eyestrain ING kv . “Well, don’t wonder; ’sall between ol’ friends tonight. Tell naudlin song in mid-career. you what, m' friends—come with me ! “D—n it!" muttered Maillard. “Did and I'll find you a 1i'l drink, eh? ‘Real hey hear us coming? No, that old Boone pinchneck—got it from some boys in Louisville, been savin’ it up for tonight.” V He wagged his head at them, and pursued his subject in a half-maudlin burst of confidential assurance. “Havin’ a little party in one of the rooms,” he continued. “All of us friends—lots more fun than dancin'! And say! I'm going pull something great, positively great; you .don’t want. to miss it, gentlemen! Youtome along with me and Il 'fix it fof.you. Come on, Gramont, that's a good fel. low! You'n I had a dis'greemefit to- day—don't matter tonight, nothin’ matters tonight, nothin’ at all. Mardi Gras ouly comes once a year, eh? Come along, now.” Jachin Fell very civilly refused the invitation, as did the others. Gramont, who now recognized their accoster, was less civil in his refusal. Mephisto ' regarded them with vinous regret. “No ’joyment in you, any more?- Bet- ter come along. Tell you, I've got the biggest joke of the season ready to pull off—something rich! Gramont, come on!” “Thanks, no,” responded Gramont curtly, -The mastuer garq Uy the afruggle vouldn't matter a hang to them—but vhat checked them so quickly?" | “This door,” said Fell, indlcating »ne to their right. He paused at it, , istening, and over his features came, |1 singular expression.- As the others loined him, they caught a low mur- naur of voices, a hushed sound of talk, @ rattle as a nunberyof chips: fell i'rom a table. E | “Cursed queer!” observed Jachin ‘?ell.j frowning. “I wonder what hap- {Jenéd to them so abruptly? Perhaps :he -deal was finished—they’re having !a game. Well, go ahead, yJoseph! We'll back you up as a deputation trom the blackcoats, and if you need wy moral support, call on Judge For- aster.” 3 That gentleman flung open the door, and Maillard entered at his side. They then came to a startled halt, at view of the scene which greeted them. | The room was large and well licht- ed, windows and transom darkened for the occasion. Tobacco smoke made a bluish haze in the air. In k!he genter of the room stood a large | table, littered with glasses and bot- tles, with scattered cards, with chips and mopex. - - - [ “My wife suffered for five years and practically lived on toast and hot water. Doctors said she would have to be operated for gall stones. an acquaintanceship, it’s an unsatisfactory job. In our plant—well equipped to handle this sort of work—you will receive printing that com- mands instant attention—and keeps it. A lady advised her to try Mayr’s Wonderful Remedy, and after taking 4 bottles over two years ago, she has been entirely well ever since.” It removes,, the, .catarrhal mucus from the intestinal /traet, and allays the inflammation which causes prac- tically all stomach, liver and intes- tinal ailments, fncluding appendicitis, One dose will' convinké ‘6r money' Te- funded, at ALL DRUGGISTS,—Adv. JUDGE STANTON HOLDS COURT AT GRAND RAPIDS Judge C. W. Stanton left Tuesday for Grand Rapids, where he is pre- siding over a special term of court called for the purpose of prosecuting John Lence, charged with the mur- der of deputy sheriff E. P. Hyatt. Hyatt was shot on the night of July 3rd while attempting to arrest booze peddlers. Reports from Grand Rap- ids indicate that the case will close Sy T h With this efficient work—the result of &éars of experience—you are certain to have the job-com- pleted on schedule time. : " WE PRINT ANYTHING THAT CAN BE PRINTED Pioneer PusLisaing Co. PHONE 922 AND TELL US TO CALL